5-fluorouracil + interferon-β

This is a combination therapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a pyrimidine analog antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent, and interferon-β (IFN-beta), a type I recombinant cytokine. 5-fluorouracil inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis and leading to cell death in rapidly dividing tumor cells. Interferon-β exerts antiproliferative effects by modulating immune responses and directly inhibiting tumor cell growth. The combination has shown synergistic anti-tumor activity in preclinical models and clinical studies for certain cancers—most notably advanced colorectal carcinoma—by enhancing the cytotoxicity of 5-FU through immunomodulation and direct inhibition of cancer cell proliferation[1][2][3][6][10]. Clinical trials have demonstrated improved response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival compared to monotherapy with either agent alone in some settings[6][10]. However, the benefit may be limited by toxicity or lack of efficacy in other cancer types.

Other names

5-FU + IFN-betafluorouracil + interferon beta5-fluorouracil and interferon-beta combination